Objective
Give receivers one set of routes, depths and break rules they can run on any play, so play calls stay short and new concepts install quickly.
Setup
Area
Half field with the ball on a hash, cones on the numbers at 3, 5, 10 and 12 yards
Players
QB and 3–6 receivers in lines; add a defensive back later for timing against leverage
Equipment
1 ball per QB, Cones or throw-down discs to mark break points, A printed or shared route chart
Duration
15–20 minutes per route-tree period
How it works
- 1
Short routes: 0, 1 and 2
0 is the hitch: 5 yards upfield, stop and turn back to the QB. 1 is the flat or quick out: a short release that bends toward the sideline at 2–3 yards. 2 is the slant: three hard steps upfield, then a 45-degree break inside across the defender's face.
- 2
Intermediate routes: 3, 4, 5 and 6
3 is the comeback: 12–15 yards up, then back toward the sideline at about 10. 4 is the curl: 10–12 yards, then back toward the QB and inside. 5 is the out: 10–12 yards, then a square 90-degree break to the sideline. 6 is the dig or in: the same depth with a square break across the middle.
- 3
Deep routes: 7, 8 and 9
7 is the corner: a vertical stem of about 10–12 yards, then a 45-degree break toward the back pylon. 8 is the post: the same stem, then 45 degrees inside toward the goalposts. 9 is the go or fly: straight downfield, with the receiver fighting to keep outside leverage on the defender.
- 4
Teach the stem and the break
Every route starts with the same explosive stem so the defender cannot read it early. Walk each route at half speed, then full speed without a ball, then with the QB throwing on the break. Shorten depths for younger players, who often need hitches at 4 yards and outs at 6–8.
- 5
Call plays with the numbers
A common method reads a three-digit call left to right across set receiver spots (for example X, Y, Z). "Trips Right 924" means the X runs a go, the Y a slant and the Z a curl. Backs and tight ends usually get their routes by name. Keep the order consistent so nobody has to think.
| Number | Route | Typical depth | Break direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Hitch | 5 yards | Stops and turns back to the QB |
| 1 | Flat (quick out) | 2–3 yards | Outside, toward the sideline |
| 2 | Slant | 3 steps, about 3–5 yards | Inside at 45 degrees |
| 3 | Comeback | 12–15 yards, coming back to about 10 | Outside and back toward the line |
| 4 | Curl | 10–12 yards | Inside and back toward the QB |
| 5 | Out | 10–12 yards | Outside at 90 degrees |
| 6 | Dig (in) | 10–12 yards | Inside at 90 degrees |
| 7 | Corner | 10–12 yard stem | Outside at 45 degrees toward the back pylon |
| 8 | Post | 10–12 yard stem | Inside at 45 degrees toward the goalposts |
| 9 | Go (fly) | Vertical, no break | Straight downfield |
Coaching points
Every route should look like a go route for the first few steps; the defender backpedals and the break wins space.
Sink the hips and drop the weight on square breaks (out, dig) instead of rounding them, which lets the defender undercut the throw.
Eyes come back to the QB at the break, with hands ready at chest height, not after the receiver has drifted two more steps.
Depth is a promise to the QB: if the out is called at 10 yards, the break happens at 10 every rep, because the ball is thrown to a spot.
Variations
Name-based tree for youth teams
Younger players often remember names faster than numbers. Keep the same routes but call them hitch, slant, out, post and go, and add numbers only once the group can run every route on command.
Route tree against leverage
Put a defensive back in press, outside or inside leverage and have the receiver run the same route. He learns to adjust his release and stem so the break still attacks the defender's blind side.
From routes to concepts
Pair routes from the tree into two-man combinations: 0 and 7 make the smash concept, 2 and 1 make slant-flat. Receivers see that a new play is only two numbers they already run.
Build it in Coach Board
Receivers memorise routes faster when they can quiz themselves between practices. Draw the full route tree on one Coach Board American football field from a single receiver, each route in its own color with depth marks at 5, 10 and 12 yards. Duplicate the board for the combinations your playbook calls by number, animate the timing of each break, and share the link to their phones.